Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 5, 2012, or due to a single service-connected disability thereafter, as his education and work history did not show that any of his service-connected conditions rendered him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case due to a flawed VA medical opinion and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back condition during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to or cause his accidental fall from a tree.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 18, 2007. The Board granted entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective from May 18, 2007.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back arthritis, low back strain, bilateral shoulder arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral hip strain, including as a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation due to housebound status or need for aid and attendance is remanded. The Board finds it necessary to obtain a VA neurology examination to determine the etiology of left foot drop, which may affect eligibility for these benefits. Additionally, a new VA aid and attendance examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy and right upper extremity neuropathy, as well as an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his service-connected bilateral shoulder impingement.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected orthopedic conditions. Various issues of service connection and disability ratings are also granted or remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for migraines.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is required to obtain all relevant private treatment records, including those from VistA Imaging, and provide new VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back condition and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, and lumbar spine disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder condition, low back disability, right knee condition, and high blood pressure due to new evidence added to the record.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to clarify his reported in-service hospitalization. The claims for service connection are therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity and lumbar disc disease were denied as they do not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment consistent with his work and education background.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at a maximum of 50% from September 12, 2012 onwards. The lumbar spine condition and right tibia and fibula fracture were remanded for further evaluation.,Accrued benefits ratings for the Veteran’s conditions are pending resolution of the issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, and degenerative joint disease, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service fall during MOUT training. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination findings regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, specifically concerning flare-ups and pain during those flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection. The issue of service connection for keratoconus is remanded.